LOUDON, N.H. — With back-to-back seasons where he has proved to be a Chase-caliber driver, Martin Truex Jr. should have no problem garnering interest if Michael Waltrip Racing can’t find funding for him for 2014.

Right now, there’s only one other real deal out there — the Furniture Row Racing No. 78 car. That team is self-funded by Barney Visser, who owns the furniture chain.

Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said he was interested in Truex, and he likely could wait a while for Truex to make a decision. The organization likely would go with a young driver if not Truex, meaning all those drivers probably would be available well into November before having to make a commitment for 2014.

“He would certainly be on the radar to talk to,” Garone said of Truex. “He’s more than qualified to drive the 78.”

The big “if” is whether NAPA will return and sponsor another Cup team. NAPA likes to have a car for the full season but several sources in the garage said the $16 million that NAPA is reportedly paying likely includes a hefty Chase bonus and might be too low to garner a full season with other organizations.

Team owners indicated they had interest in Truex and could possibly start an extra team for him but they did not want to speculate, especially with emotions still raw from NAPA walking away from MWR with two years remaining on its contract.

Joe Gibbs said any talk about Truex going to Joe Gibbs Racing, which races Toyotas like MWR, is just speculation.

“We’re totally devoted to Toyota and Rob and Michael and Michael Waltrip Racing,” Gibbs said Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “Our whole emphasis on this is just to support them.

“I don’t have an idea what all is happening. … We haven’t had any conversation of any kind.”

Team owner Richard Childress said he wasn’t going to call NAPA, but he could start a fourth team if there is interest.

“You’re always interested, but we’re going to see what shakes down here with those guys,” he said. “I hope NAPA stays in the sport. I really hate it for Martin. I’m sure they’ll see the value in our sport and hopefully stay in with whomever.

“We’re not going to beat their door down. We can do a fourth team. I don’t believe in going out and chasing somebody in a bad situation. Let them make their decision.”

Chip Ganassi had no comment on the possibility of pursuing Truex, while Roger Penske said he is set with his two Cup teams for next year.

“Martin’s one of the good young drivers here,” Penske said. “We’re committed (to) two cars next year. We have plenty of drivers. What we need to do is stay focused. … At this point, I don’t see us going with Truex or NAPA.”

Finishing second to a teammate can be slightly easier to take than finishing second to a non-teammate, but the sting of coming so close and losing ground to another Chase competitor still isn’t easy.

“The organization is going to give the equipment to the both of us,” Busch said after the Sylvania 300 Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I don't think any one of us is going to get better stuff.

“It's just going to come down to better communication between myself and the crew chief in that way, because those are certainly the ways that you win these things.”

Busch felt that Kenseth just got a better restart than him late in the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway. On Sunday, Kenseth had the better car with a driver who just became Busch’s teammate this year after spending 13 seasons driving for Jack Roush.

“Matt is just executing the end of the deal, which is what you're supposed to do,” Busch said. “I won eight of the first 26 (in 2008) and then fell flat on my face. Matt is doing a really good job, obviously. He's one of the best.

“That's why we went to talk to him, to hire him, and that's why he's here.”

Hornish looking for ride

Despite leading the Nationwide Series standings, Sam Hornish Jr. does not have a ride yet for next season and confirmed this weekend that he is looking.

Penske Racing does not have a ride for next year for Hornish, who has driven for Penske for several years in IndyCar and NASCAR.

“Sam knew at the end of this year that we had to make a decision,” team owner Roger Penske said. “What we’re trying to do is get him lined up for a Cup ride and we’re just looking at it. We haven’t made any decision one way or another and he knows that.

“We’re only going to run two (Cup) cars. … I told him (to) take a good look and see what’s out there.”

Penske said the plan for development driver Ryan Blaney is to compete in the truck series next year for Brad Keselowski Racing and in select Nationwide races. Blaney has won in both series this year, including the Nationwide race Saturday night at Kentucky Speedway.

Furniture Row Racing reportedly is interested in Blaney.

“I’m sure a lot of people are interested in him,” Penske said. “But obviously we’re going to try to keep him with our team and keep going.”

Penske jumped at chance to hire Montoya

Penske also made news in the last week when he hired Juan Pablo Montoya to race in IndyCar next year. Montoya’s NASCAR contract with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing was up after this season.

“I was overseas and I heard he was going to the 78 (of Furniture Row), and the next minute I heard we were going to announce it (last) Monday,” Penske said. “It was that quick.”

Penske said he has sponsors interested in Montoya.

“He was a great road racer, and I think he was at a point in his career where he said, ‘Do I keep going where I am?’ And obviously Chip wanted to make a change,” Penske said.

“We would have never talked to him if he hadn’t been released by Chip. … The opportunity to get him is one that’s probably one in a lifetime. I think he’ll add a lot to the team.”